Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16

This is from the same link posted in the blog post immediately preceding this one.

snip
Benedict XVI said he could not speak to the gathering because he will begin his annual spiritual exercises today.
This year's exercises are dedicated to a theme taken from Hebrews 4:14: "Let Us Welcome Christ, Our High Priest: 'Since, Then, We Have a Great High Priest Who Has Passed Through the Heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, Let Us Hold Fast to Our Confession.'"
Jesuit Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, former secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, will preach the retreat.
The spiritual exercises will end on Saturday, Feb. 16, with the celebration of Lauds and a closing meditation. During the retreat all audiences will be cancelled, including the weekly general audience of Wednesday, Feb. 13.

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I've mentioned that I enjoy using the Amplified Bible (though being Protestant it lacks the chapters that the Catholic Bible contains in its completeness) because it provides references within the passages to the full nuances of each translated word in its original language (e.g. Greek, Hebrew). Here is the full section of scripture that the Pope and his companions will be contemplating on their retreat. This is a point I have been emphasizing over and over in my blogging, regarding how Jesus is the High Priest (and why Catholic priests continue to model themselves, as difficult as it may be, on Jesus alone).

Hebrew 4:
14. Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].

15. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.

16. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldy draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

Hebrew 5:
1. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in things relating to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

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St. Paul is very clear that Jesus Christ is the High Priest, that the role of the priest continues from the Old Covenant (Judaism) to the New Covenant (Christianity), and that the duties of the priest include acting on behalf of the faithful in things related to God, and to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sin.